Years ago, during residency I was asked to go to a nursing home and see a consult. The lady had been in an iron lung for years and had transitioned to an assistive breathing device. I was asked to consult regarding panic attacks, with the staff expecting me to start her on medication. Turns out she was anxious/panicky as there had been a brief power outage recently and she couldn't breathe. She was afraid there would be another one. Her iron lung had a battery back and her new device didn't. We arranged for a battery backup, demonstrated it and she was content. No more panic attacks. I met with her a few more times. The last time she joked that there was a need for calming medication, for the nursing supervisor.
"Listen to your patient; he is telling you the diagnosis."
Sir William Osler
aliases?